N K DHABHAR CANCER FOUNDTION (NKDCF) was started with the vision of carrying out various activities to support cancer patients. NKDCF was launched on 5th June 2011 in Mumbai, in memory of Mr Nariman K Dhabhar, who was also a cancer patient, and father of Dr Boman Dhabhar (Sr Medical Oncologist). It is a non-profit organisation based in Mumbai. At the foundation we recognise the needs of cancer patients and strive to provide them with clinical and emotional support, thereby improving their quality of life.
Our endeavour is to promote and integrate cancer treatment for every patient whether curable, palliative or terminal, as we believe every person has a right to live with care and dignity, at any stage of cancer
NKDCF travels from villages to cities and from slums to housing societies with the endeavour to spread awareness on prevention of cancer and screening for early detection. We give a message for leading a healthy life style and the importance of early detection of cancer. It is a known fact that if cancer is detected in an early stage the prognosis becomes much better. We have till date conducted more than 200 camps across Mumbai at different places of worship, offices, housing societies, slum areas, colleges, etc and in distant rural areas of Jharkhand, Ramnagar (Nainital) and Gujarat.
Our focus is on Breast Cancer Detection. The screening is done using a one of a kind device called IBreast Exam (IBE). This is a completely safe and non invasion procedure and has been approved by the US FDA. IBreast Exam detects change in stiffness of tissue by non-invasive and non-radiation, easy method which is very economical.
In spite of increasing technological advancement and research and improved treatment options, financial constraints often delay the treatment for majority of our patients. Taking cognizance of this problem our Foundation provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged patients. Monetary help is provided for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or any other medical treatment required by the patient. We also provide nutritional supplements which are very important for cancer patients.
| PATIENT SUPPORT | NUMBER OF PATIENTS |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | 13731 |
| Medicines | 4371 |
| Nutrition Support | 80214 |
| Other Treatment (Investigation & Diagnostic) | 1815 |
NKDCF believes that becoming a physician, nurse or other health care specialist requires many years of education. But the learning does not stop once a license and board certification have been earned and practice begins – learning continues by way of Continued Medical Education or CME.
CME is crucial to the prosperity of health care providers. It allows a practitioner to learn and discover viable ways to improve on the patient care they deliver and effectively manage a career in the ever-changing landscape of the medical industry.
NKDCF regularly organises conferences and CMEs to ascertain that the best medical practices are followed in the field of oncology. During the Pandemic NKDCF did not stop their pursuit for medical education, instead they started doing Webinars using a virtual platform.
ONLINE TRAINING MODULE
Some of the objectives of the N K DHABAR CANCER FOUNDATION (NKDCF) is to provide palliative and terminal cancer care and disseminate knowledge and help in capacity building and thereby build a network of trained Cancer caregivers and thus raise the bar of Cancer care in India.
This project was initiated by Chairperson of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) Dr. Nasreen Rustomfram from The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). She approached NKDCF to collaborate with TISS and help create e content for an online platform for educating the layman to become a professional caregiver.
These on-line modules will help educate and provide a means of employment for the lay person to become professional cancer Care Givers.
Palliative care is given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or lifethreatening disease such as cancer. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, in addition to the related psychological, social and spiritual problems. Palliative care is also called comfort care, supportive care and symptom management. We believe that Palliative Care Should start from the time of diagnosis and not only at the end of life.
We have set up a state-of-art facility called OnCare which is a Cancer Wellness & Palliative Care Centre for cancer patients. Through this multi-disciplinary approach, we seek to address physical, emotional, spiritual and social concerns that arise with advanced stage cancer.
At OnCare Cancer Patients and their Families are looked after in an extremely Holistic Manner and FREE OF COST. Their Medical Needs such as Pain Management and Other Symptom management are taken care of by our able team of Palliative Care Physicians, Nurses, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists.
Besides this we look after their Psycho Social Needs through our Counsellors, Psycho Therapists, Volunteers and other programs such as Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness etc Their Nutritional & Dietary requirements are fulfilled by our trained Nutritionists who have special knowledge and training especially for Cancer Patients. We have special Support Groups for different types of Cancers as patients can connect better with
someone who has experienced similar problems as them. We collaborate with different NGOs and conduct support group meetings for patients and their families.
Some of the Group Activities at OnCare are
Besides these activities, we also conduct interactive sessions with school kids, sessions on nutritious and healthy diet, advocacy through cancer survivors and sessions for care givers to help them look after their patients with ease. Our Future Goal is to set up a larger in-patient facility for Palliative Care especially for the terminally ill cancer patients. We would love to have a place in a beautiful natural surroundings where patients and their care givers can experience peace and comfort.
